New Federal ID Cards for Medicare Participants

New Federal ID Cards for Medicare Participants

In a move designed to protect the elderly from identity theft, the federal government will soon start mailing new Medicare cards that come with an 11-digit identification number instead of an enrollee’s Social Security number. 

The first cards under the new system will start going out in May to beneficiaries living in Pennsylvania as well as Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.  The card rollout will continue based on geographic area through April 2019.

The new Medicare card is still red, white and blue, but no longer includes a Social Security number, gender, signature or other personal information that could compromise a beneficiary’s identity. This all stems from the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 and involves 59 million participants each receiving a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).

The MBI won’t change Medicare benefits and beneficiaries can start using their new card as soon as they receive them.  Current beneficiaries don’t have to do anything to receive their new card and there is no activation process or fee.  However, they should make sure that their address is current with the Social Security Administration.

Beneficiaries should also be alert to potential scams that may occur.  One involves being told that they have a refund on their old card and need to provide bank information to process the return of funds.  Remember that Medicare will never initiate calls or ask to verify information over the phone.

To see what the new cards look like or check when your card will be mailed, click on Medicare’s new card site: https://www.medicare.gov/newcard/